West received national recognition in 1993 with his bestselling book, Race Matters, an analysis of racism in American democracy, which has sold more than half-a-million copies, to date. West, author of 19 books and 13 texts, has received more than 20 honorary degrees.

West was influential in the development of the storyline for the popular "Matrix" movie trilogy and played a recurring role in the final two films.

Tickets, which will be available Nov. 30, are required to attend this free, public event. For more information, visit the University Unions and Student Activities website, or the ticket office on the first floor of Squires Student Center between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.